Concerts & Theater Shows

On
the 1st of Feb we went to go and see Bruce Springsteen at the
FNB Stadium. What a magnificent show! Despite the rain we all
enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.

We were specially treated when he appeared on the stage long
before the show started to do an impromptu acoustic performance.

On the 7th of September we went to go and see the SA Tattoo
2013 at Montecasino. This was the 1st time for Caitlin and I,
and it was absolutely worthwhile. The Top Secret Drum Corps from
Basel, Switzerland, was the highlight. Check them out on
Youtube.

(Photo courtesy of Artslink.co.za)

On
the 17th of August we went to go and see Cirque de la Symphonie
at Montecasino.

The show featured the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra
together with a acrobatic cirrus performance. It was very good
and really recommended.

(Photo courtesy of Montecasino)

On the
11th of May we went to go and see Bon Jovi at the FNB Stadium.
They are an old time favorite of mine and seeing them perform
live did not disappoint at all. The show was absolutely amazing.

This was the 1st time we've taken our daughter to a big concert,
and she absolutely loved it.

(Photo courtesy Channel24.com)

As
part of our anniversary activities we saw Jersey Boys, at Montecasino,
on the 6th of April. Did not quite know what to expect, but we
were pleasantly surprised. The show was fantastic and we
recognized almost all the songs. Is this an indication of our
age!?

On
the 24th of March we went to go and see Cirque du Soleil again, at
Montecasino.
This time we watched their Dralion show. It was fantastic,
especially the guys running up the wall.

(Photo courtesy of Moira de Swardt's blog on WordPress.com)

On the 10th of November we went to go and see Linkin Park at
the FNB Stadium. Yes, you read correctly. I do enjoy their music and
even my wife is now a convert.

The show was fantastic with a good mix of old and new songs.
Even the opening by The Kongos was good, but I must say that
Jack Parrow is really not my cup of tea.

(Photo
courtesy of The New Age)

On the 28th of September we went to go and see Celtic Woman
at Carnival City. It was an excellent performance even though
the sound sometimes dropped away.

(Photo
courtesy of Joburg Style)

On the 14th of August we went to go and see Madam Zingara at
Montecasino.

We can truly recommend this show to one and all (not for the
kids though). The show was fantastic and the food was delicious!

(Photo courtesy of Montecasino)

On the 1st of May we went to go and see Phantom of the Opera,
with my brother and his wife, at Montecasino. Going with some
trepidation, I can honestly say that I was pleasantly surprised.
What a show! Especially the costumes and decor.

(Photo
courtesy of Your Soap Box)

On the
24th of March we attended Sting's Back To Bass Tour at the Coca
Cola Dome. What a show! A good mix of old and new, rock and
jazz.

On the
26th of November we were treated to an Evening with Josh Groban
at the Sun City Superbowl. And what a treat it was. He has a
fantastic stage personality and the singing was not to bad
either. We were surprised when the Soweto Gospel Choir came on
stage and did two songs with him. Magnificent!

On the
26th of August we went to go and see James Blunt for the second
time (1st time was in 2008). As the previous time, his
performance was fantastic.

Jenny nearly had heart failure when he entered the stage down
the isle right past us.

On the 9th of July we went to go and be amazed by the stunning
performance of Kylie Minogue at the Sun City Superbowl. What a
theatrical experience. That's what I have to call it, since the
signing was just part of the whole show.

On
the 13th of March we went to go and see Cirque du Soleil. Now
I've seen their shows on TV a couple of time, but it does not
come close to seeing it in real life. It was just breathtaking.
It's not only the acrobatics, but the whole stage and to music.

On the
13th of February we had the privilege to see one of our favorite
bands live. The U2 360 Tour to South Africa.

We bought the tickets as soon as they became available, and it
was worth the wait. What a show. The stage was just out of this
world, and a performance to match.

On the 6th of February we saw the International sensational
show, the Riverdance. It was an amazing combination of footwork
and Irish music. What a show!

On the 16th December we went to go and see Robinson Crusoe and
the Caribbean Pirates at the Mandela Theater at the Johannesburg
Civic. It was a humorous interpretation of original works, with
some South African humor thrown in.

On the 18th of July we went to go and see an old favourite of ours at the Coca Cola dome.
Bryan Adams did not disappoint us at all and it was a magnificent
performance.

(Photo courtesy of Unknown)

On the 25th of April we went to see André Rieu at the Superbowl at Sun
City. It was the first time I listened to a full orchestra. It was an
amazing show. We even sang some Afrikaans!

(Photo courtesy of Unknown)

On
the 10th of April we went to go and see STOMP at Montecasino. What an
awesome show!! All I can say is, GO SEE IT!!

The rhythm/percussion is just amazing. The humour is really
entertaining.

(Photo courtesy of Montecasino)

On
the 21st of March we went to go and see Elton John in the Emmarentia
Botanic Gardens.

It was an evening of picnicking, just relaxing under the stars, and
listening to good music.

On
the 27th of December we went to go and see Pinocchio staring Tobie
Cronjé. I can really recommend it.

The most fascinating part for me was the ballet, which was performed by
the South African Ballet Theatre.

(Photo courtesy of South African Ballet Theatre)

On
the 16th of December we all went to go and see Cinderella on Ice at
Monte Casino (This seems to becoming a regular thing).

It was amazing to see what they can do in such a restricted space.
The skaters are truly professional. The costumes were remarkable. We can really
recommend this show to everyone! Although the young ones might not
appreciate it, since there are no songs or speaking, just acting.

(Photo courtesy of Montecasino)

On
the 16th of December we all went to go and see Beauty and the Beast at
Monte Casino. What an enchanting experience. The cast was amazing, the
props remarkable and the special effects incredible. We can really
recommend this show to young and old alike!

(Photo courtesy of Montecasino)

On
the 23rd of November we went to go and see Defending The Caveman by Alan
Committee. What a fabulous and hilarious show. Something we can both
truly recommend, to men and women, if you want to glean some
understanding on why your partner thinks/acts so differently.

(Photo courtesy of Montecasino)

On
the 18th of September we went go and see Katie Melua, one of my favourite
young artists. It was well worth the 100km drive to get to Carnival
City. It was a wonderful evening of Folk, Blues and even Reggae.

(Photo courtesy of Prime Media)

On
the 24th of May 2008 we joined Jo'burgers at the Coca Cola dome to
listen to James Blunt.

What an evening. The music was superb and what a stage personality.
Really to be recommended.

(Photo courtesy of HarderFaster.net)

To continue the birthday celebrations, Jenny surprised me the next
evening with tickets to the last performance of the Lion King in South
Africa. What a treat, it was truly an amazing experience!

If you ever have the chance to see it, GO!

On
the 21st of October 2007 we joined old and young at the Coca Cola dome
to listen to Enrique Iglesias.

What a wonderful evening to share with my
lovely companion.

(Photo courtesy of Times)

On
the 7th of July 2007, we joined a fair portion of the world as part of
the Live Earth events, by going to the Live Earth concert in
Johannesburg. The artists included the Soweto Gospel Choir (South
Africa), The Parlotones (South Africa), Danny K (South Africa), Baaba
Maal (Senegal), Vusi Mahlasela (South Africa), Zola (South Africa),
Angélique Kidjo (Benin), UB40 (UK), and Joss Stone (UK). It was really a
wonderful evening of music from all over the world.

It was the first
time I've seen any of the artists live, but Joss Stone was the one I
came to see, and she was magnificent. The music from UB40 was my lovely
companion's reason to be there, and they were absolutely great.

(Photo
courtesy of AP Photo)

One of the night time hangouts which which I can
really recommend is the
Blues Room in Sandton,
Johannesburg. They feature various local bands, and it has an tremendous
atmosphere (Note: There is no non-smoking section!).

On the 6th of July 2007 I went there for yet again a
tremendous, and memorable evening (largely due to the company), while listening to Louise Carver.
She is a singer songwriter, and the music reminded me of the Cranberries
and Vanessa Carlton.

One treat for me, while in China, was the visit of Norah
Jones to Beijing on the 7th of March 2005. What a wonderful
evening of jazz, folk, and even a little country. (Photo
courtesy of SINA English/AP Photo)